The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

What are students' rights under FERPA?

1. To inspect and review his or her education records.

2. To request an amendment to a record that the student believes is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA.

3. To provide written consent before the College discloses personally identifiable information from the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.

4. To file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the College to comply with the requirements of FERPA.

Do parents have any rights under FERPA?

In primary and secondary educational institutions (i.e. K-12), all FERPA rights belong to the parent. However, when the student reaches the age of 18 or begins to attend a post-secondary institution regardless of age, all FERPA rights transfer to the student.

Who has access to student educational records?

Under the guidelines of FERPA, the College is permitted to disclose information from a student’s record, without a student’s prior written consent, to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the College in an administrative, supervisory, academic or support staff position, a person or company with whom the College has contracted as its agent to provide a service instead of using College employees or officials (such as an attorney, auditor or collection agent), ICE contractors, or a person serving on the Board of Trustees. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review information from an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities for the College.

What is directory information?

Directory information is student data that is not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released. Currently, directory information at Bay State College is limited to student's name, address, telephone listing, electronic mail address, date of birth, major field of study, grade level, enrollment status (e.g. full-time/part-time), dates of attendance, degrees/honors/awards received, and anticipated or actual graduation date. A student may, to the extent permitted by FERPA, block the release of directory information by indicating this on the Authorization for Release of Information Form.

Authorization to Release Information Form

If a student wishes to authorize the release of education record information to parents, guardians, or any other individual, the Authorization for Release of Information Form must be completed, signed, and submitted to the Office of the Registrar. Once the form is submitted, authorized individuals may be informed of the student’s status at Bay State College with respect to grades, academic standing, and financial obligations. This release will remain in effect for as long as the student is enrolled at Bay State College. If the student ever wishes to revoke or modify this authorization, a new Authorization for Release of Information Form should be completed, signed, and submitted to the Office of the Registrar.

Request to Review and Inspect Academic Records

A student has the right to inspect and review their education records within 45 days of the College receiving a required for access. If a student wishes to view specific education records, the FERPA Request to Review and Inspect Academic Records Form must be completed, signed, and submitted to the Office of the Registrar. Once the form is received, the Registrar will make arrangements for access and notify they student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. 

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Where can I find more information about FERPA?

More information is available on the U.S. Department of Education's FERPA website.